Health Benefits of Sauna Use
“Deliberate heat exposure can be a powerful tool to improve health and longevity.”
- Dr. Andrew Huberman
Cardiovascular Health
Regular sauna sessions can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, strokes, and all-cause mortality. The elevated temperatures in a sauna mimic the effects of cardiovascular exercise, improving your heart rate, blood flow, and plasma volume. A protocol of 5-20 minutes of sauna use, 2-7 times a week at a temperature range of 176-212℉ is optimal to enhance your cardiovascular system's efficiency.
Hormonal Balance
Deliberate heat exposure in a sauna can lead to a beneficial decrease in cortisol levels, enhancing your stress response and hormonal balance. For those looking to increase growth hormone, which is crucial for tissue repair and metabolism, scientists recommend adopting a 1x/week protocol consisting of four 30-minute sessions, each followed by a 5 minute cooldown period.
Mood and Wellbeing
The heat stress from sauna use activates the endorphin system, leading to short-term stress that ultimately boosts mood and happiness. Regular sauna sessions engage the dynorphin system, which can enhance your baseline mood and contribute to a sustained sense of well-being.
Metabolic and Longevity Benefits
Sauna use activates heat shock proteins, which prevent cellular misfolding and support DNA repair. This process upregulates pathways like FOXO3, essential for clearing out senescent cells and supporting longevity. Moreover, just 57 minutes of weekly sauna exposure can enhance your metabolism, mimicking the effects of more extensive physical exercise.